How to Use Claude Code in Hong Kong (And Why It Needs a VPN)

You open your terminal. You type claude. Nothing happens — or worse, you get a cryptic connection error and no explanation.

If you're in Hong Kong, this isn't a bug you can fix by reinstalling. It's a geo-restriction. Anthropic's API — the engine that powers Claude Code — is not available in your region. Your request never even reaches the server.

What is Claude Code?

Claude Code is an AI coding assistant built by Anthropic that runs directly in your terminal. Instead of switching to a browser and pasting code back and forth, you work with Claude right where you code. It can read your files, write new ones, fix bugs, explain unfamiliar code, and handle whole tasks end to end — all from the command line.

For developers, it's a genuine productivity shift. For non-technical users curious about AI tools, it's the most direct way to see what AI can actually do when it's woven into a real workflow.

The catch: to use it, your computer needs to reach Anthropic's API. In Hong Kong, that connection is blocked.

Why DuckDuckLink fixes it

A VPN routes your internet traffic through a server in another country before it reaches its destination. When you connect through DuckDuckLink, your requests to Anthropic's API appear to come from an unrestricted region — and Claude Code works exactly as intended.

Speed matters here. AI tools are latency-sensitive; a sluggish VPN turns every Claude response into a waiting game. DuckDuckLink is built on modern infrastructure optimised for speed, so the VPN layer is effectively invisible during normal use.

Privacy matters too. DuckDuckLink operates a strict no-logs policy — your browsing activity, connection times, and usage patterns are never recorded or sold.

How to get started

Step 1 — Get DuckDuckLink

Sign up at duckducklink.com and start your 1-day free trial. No credit card required to try it.

Step 2 — Connect to a server

Open the DuckDuckLink app and connect to any server outside Hong Kong. The connection takes a few seconds.

Step 3 — Install Claude Code

With your VPN connected, install Claude Code via npm:

npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code

Step 4 — Start using Claude

Run claude in any project folder. You'll be prompted to log in with your Anthropic account on the first run. After that, Claude Code is ready to use.

Try it free

DuckDuckLink includes a 1-day free trial on every plan — no commitment needed to see that it works. Once you're connected, Claude Code, ChatGPT, and dozens of other AI tools that are restricted in Hong Kong are all accessible.

Ready to unlock Claude Code in Hong Kong? Start your free trial today.